Hydraulic power transmission.



V W. E. LAPE.

HYDRAULIC POWER TRANSMISSION.

APPLICATION man JAN. 24, 1913.

1,16216 Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

2 SHEETS-$HEET I.

W. E. LAPE.

HYDRAULIC POWER TRANSMISSION.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 24, 1913.

1L 9 16,211 6, Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT @FFIQE.

WILLARD E. LAPE, or SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR or ONE-HALF TO WILLIAM-J. LEWIS, or SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

HYDRAULIC POWER TRANSMISSION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

Application filed January 24, 1913. Serial N 0. 743,908.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLARD E. LAPE, of Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Hydraulic Power Transmission, of which the following, taken in connection with the accom panying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description. i

This invention relates to certain improvements in hydraulic power transmission for motor vehicles and other uses in which it is desired to transmit rotary motion from one revolving part to another.

The main object is to commercialize the use of hydraulics as a noiseless, self-lubricating and variable speed power transmitting medium acting in conjunction with a relatively small compact mechanism of few parts as a more efficient substitute for the usual gear transmission and capable of being used as a service brake and clutch and for speed variations in either direction from minimum to maximum and is controlled at will by a single operating member on the steering wheel or other part of the machine within easy reaching distance of the operator.

In other words, I have sought to produce a positive drive hydraulic transmission controlled by a single valve in such manner that the motive fluid may be gradually diverted to the driven member for transmitting motion thereto in either direction from its normal position of rest through infinitesimal grades of speed from minimum to maximum and vice versa so that the driven member may be maintained at any speed from zero to the maximum speed of l the driving element while the motive fluid acts as a service brake in automatically retarding the action of the driven member when its supply thereto is reduced in the operation of shifting the valve 'to cut down the speed of said driving element.

A still further object is to distribute the motive fluid so as to produce a more ideal torque varying inversely as the speed.

Other objects and uses will be brought out in the following description.

In the drawingsFigures 1, 2 and 3 are respectively a side elevation and opposite end views of a hydraulic power-transmitting device embodying the various features of my invention. Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are refor operating the driven member at full.

speed in the same direction as the driving shaft. F ig. 11 is a sectional view of the valve similar to that shown in Fig. 10 eX- cept that the valve is in position for oper- 1 ating the driven member at half speed in the same direction as the driving shaft.

As shown in the drawings, this powertransmitting device comprises a hollow casing composed of opposite sections -1 and '2 and an intermediate transverse partition or plate -3 dividing the interior of the easing into opposite compartments, the open ends of the casing sections being provided with marginal flanges of substantially the same form and size for receiving clamping bolts et by which the casing sections and partition plate are rigidly secured to each other to form an air-tight joint. These casing sections and the plate may be made of cast metal or any other suitable material, the sections -1 and 2 being provided with coaxial shaft bearings 5 and 6 for receiving respectively a driving shaft 7 and a driven shaft 8. section 1 is also provided with a cylindrical impellerchamber 9 of somewhat greater diameter than and eccentric to the shaft 7 for receiving a rotary impeller 10- on the inner end of the driving shaft 7, said impeller being provided with a radial slot l1- therethrough for receiving a sliding gate -12 of substantially the same width and length as the diameter and length of the impeller chamber 9 in which it is adapted to move and. therefore. extends radially some distance beyond the periphery of the impeller drum 10 In like manner, the opposite case section 2 is provided with a some what larger cylindrical motor chamber 13 for receiving a hydraulic motor drum 14 having a radial. slot 15- in which is movable a sliding gate 16, the motor chamber 13 being eccentric to the driv- The casing and 2 and plate 3-, is provided with v a valve chamber -l7- wholly at one side of and preferably above the chambers 9 and 13 for receiving a rock-valve -18 having its opposite ends journaled in the outer walls of the casing sections -1'and 2 parallel with the axis of the shafts 7- and 8.

The valve 18 is provided with a lengthwise diametrical web extending from end to end of the chambers 9 and 13, the end of the valve corresponding to the chamber -13- being preferably solid while the opposite end corresponding to the chamber 9- is provided with a diametrically extending port or passage 20 normally registering with similar ports 21 and -22 in diametrically opposite sides of the valve chamber '17 and communicating through passages 23 and 24- with the impeller chamber 9 at opposite sides of the impeller drum 10, The web of the valve 18 is of considerably less thickness than the diameter of the valve chamber so as to leave ample clearance for the passage of the motive fluid at either side of the web in any position of adjustment. The portion of the valve chamber 17 which overlies the motor chamber -13- is also provided with diametrically opposite ports 26 and 27 communicate ing respectively by passages 28 and 29 with the motor chamber -13 at opposite sides of the motor drum 11, said ports 26 and 2'7 being located respectively above and below .the corresponding sides of thevalve which, in any position of adjustment, effectually cuts off communication between said ports.

The interior of the casing is entirely filled with the motive fluid, such as oil or equivalent substitutes, thereby filling the motor and impeller chambers and all passages and ports which may communicate therewith.

The object of the partition plate 3 is to effectively cut oflf direct communication between the impeller chamber -9 and motor chamber 13-' except through the Valve chamber 17- in a manner hereinafter described, while the valve chamber 17 extends through the plate and is common to both the impeller chamber and motor chamber, the valve being provided with a stem -30 extending axially through a stufling box or gland 31 to the exterior of the casing for receiving an operating member 32 forming a part of any suitable operating mechanism which is mounted upon the steering wheel or other part of the vehicle within easy reaching distance of the operator. The driving and driven shafts -7 and 8- are also extended axially through suitable stufling boxes or glands 33+ and -34c .all of said glands serving to prevent leakage of the motive fluid, particularly when such fluid is subjected to maximum pressure underload.

It will be observed that the driving and driven elements and chambers in which they are adapted to revolve are similar except as to size, the impeller drum and motor drum being cylindrical and coaxial with their respective shafts 7 and 8, while the cylinders or'chambers in which they revolve are eccentric to the axes of said shafts so that the gates 12 and 16 are reciprocated in the diametric slots in their respective drums.by contact with the inner walls of the cylinder as the drums are revolved, thereby. maintaining a close running joint between the gates and cylinder in all positions.

The driving shaft 7- may be connected directly or indirectly to any motive power, such for example as an internal combustion engine so that the impeller 10 becomes the primary motive power for impelling or circulating the motive fluid through the various connected channels or passages of the transmitting device in 'a manner presvalve corresponding to the impeller chamber 9 normally cuts ofi communication between said impeller chamber and motor chamber and establishes direct communication between the passages 23 and 24l leading to the impeller chamber at opposite sides of the impeller. It therefore follows that when the engine or impeller is running light independently of the driven member,

in the direction indicated by the arrow X.'-, Fig. 5, the motive fluid will be circulated from the impeller chamber through the passage 23 and port 21v her in either direction and for this purpose, the valve is rotarily adjustable through an arc of approximately 45 in either direction from its normal position so as to cause the motive fluid to be diverted to one or theother of the passages 28 or 29- leading from the ports 26 and 27 respectively to opposite sides of the motor l4 tangentially thereto. For example, assuming that it is desired to rotate the driven member in a reverse direction from that of the driving member, then it is simply necessary to rock the valve from its normal position to the left (Figs. 5 and 6) or to the position shown in Fig. 7 until the opposite ends of the valve port 20 are shifted to opposite sides or below and above their respective ports 21 and 22, thereby registering the valve passage above the web with the port 21 to connect said port with the port 26 leading to the motor chamber 13, it being understood that the portion of the valve web corresponding to the motor chamber will then be shifted through a corresponding arc but will still effectively out OK direct communication between the ports -26 and 27, thereby causing the motive fluid under pressure of the impeller to be forced through the passage 28 and against the corresponding side of the gate of the motor 1 L to rotate the same in the direction indicated by arrow -Y, Fig. 6. hen the valve is thus adjusted to effect a reverse drive of the driven member, the passage at the lower side of the web of the valve will be connected to the ports 22 and 27, thereby establishing a return connection between the impeller chamber ad motor chamber to complete the free circulation of the motive fiuid without undue resistance. On the other hand, if it is desired to rotate the driven member at full speed in the same direction as that of the driving member, the valve will be shifted through a corresponding arc in the opposite direction as shown in Figs. 9hand 10 until the opposite ends of its port 20- are brought respectively aboveand beneath the corresponding ports 2l and 22-, thereby connecting the passage below the valve web with the ports 21 and 27 while the passage above the web will connect the ports 2*2 and 26, thus causing the motive fluid to travel from the impeller chamber through the passage 23, port 21--, and along the lower side of the valve to the port 27 and thence through the passage 29 tangentially to the adjacent side of the motor drum 14. against the corresponding side of the gate l6 to effect the rotation of the driven member in the same direction as that of the driving member or in a direction opposite that indicated by the arrow -Y in which case the motive fluid will be returned through the passage 28 and port 29 and along the'passage above the web of the valve to the port 22 and thence through the passage 24 to the corresponding side of the impeller.

It is evident from the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings that the speed of rotation of the driven member from zero to maximum speed of the driving member depends upon the quantity of oil or other motive fluid which is permitted to circulate through the motor chamber and. while I have shown the valve as full open for maximum speed in reverse directions in Figs. 7 and 9, it is evident that by shifting the valve to intermediate positions. as for instance midway between its extremes as shown in Fig. 11, approximately only half of the motive fluid will be diverted from the impeller chamber to the motor chamber for operating the driven member substantiallyhalf the speed of that of the driving member and, in this particular instance in the same direction, butwhen shifted half way to the position shown in Fig. 7, it is evident that the motor will be driven at half speed in the reverse direction. These variable speeds of the driven member in either direction may. therefore, be varied infinitesimal degrees from zero to maximum speed of the driving member and vice versa according to the degree of movement of the valve from its normal position. This manner of impelling the motive fluid tangentially from the impeller and tangentially to the motor pro duces a maximum torque at starting but varies inversely as the speed increases and becomes normal at full speed, thereby producing a positive power-transmitting medium between the driving and driven elements under a minimum degree of resistance so that when the chambers and passages are entirely filled with the motive fluid. the action of the driven member is instantaneous and may be graded as to speed indefinitely between the limits of speed of the engine and, at the same time, when the valve is shifted to cut down the speed or to stop the driven member, the fluid acts as a brake to gradually retard the action of said driven member, thus permitting the valve to be manipulated, not only for the purpose of controlling the speed, but also to cause the motive fluid to act as a positive yet flexible clutch drive and also as an automatic service brake.

The power-transmitting device constructed in the manner shown and described may be made and operated at a comparatively low cost and has a wide range of use in that it provides unlimited speed variation in either direction and also serves as a clutch and automatic brake, and also avoids excessive friction, wear and breakage incidental to the use of tooth gears, friction bands, cones, brakes and other adjunctions of the ordinary gear transmission. This device is, therefore, particularly adapted as a variable speed power transmission for anto obiles and similar, motor vehicles and permits uniform speed independent of grade or load as long as the load is within the thereby relieving the operator from the operation of various levers and assuring a more absolute control of the machine under all conditions.

What I claim is:

1. In hydraulic power transmission, the combination, with a rotary impeller and a coaxial rotary motor each having a ,pair of passages leading from opposite sides thereof, of a valve chamber parallel with the axis of the motor and impeller and located between the passages of each pair, said valve chamber having one set of diametrically opposite ports communicating with, the passages of the impeller and another set of diametrically opposite ports communicating with the passages of the motor, and a rotary valve in the valve chamber controlling the ports of both sets and having means for connecting the impeller ports when adjusted to one position and separate means for cutting ofi communication between the motor ports 7 when in such position.

2. In hydraulic power transmisslon, a

casing having separate compartments end to end, an impeller in one compartment and a coaxial motor in the other compartment, a valve chamber common to both compartments and having one set of ports communicating with the impeller chamber at opposite sides of the impeller and another set of ports communicating with the motor chamber at opposite sides of the motor,-and a 1 those of the other set communicating with opposite sides of the motor chamber, a rotary "impeller in the impeller chamber, a rotary motor in the motor chamber, and a rotary valve in the valve chamber having means for cutting off direct communication between the motor ports without closing the same, said valve having a diametric passage for connecting the impeller ports and mov able to opposite sides of said impeller ports to permit communicationvbetween the motor ports and impeller ports at opposite sides of the valve and independently of said passage.

In wltness whereof I have hereunto set A my hand this 20th day of January, 1913. WILLARD E. LAPE.

Witnesses H. E. CHAsE,

EVA E. GREENLEAF. 

